1、大学英语四级综合-40 及答案解析(总分：180.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Unit 2(总题数：4，分数：180.00)Passage OneWhen the Earth shook here on March 26th, 2000, it helped geologists to figure out how the Earth around Seattle would shake during the real thing less than a year later.When Seattles Kingdome was demolished with explosives, mo
2、re than 200 seismic recorders caught every rattle and roll. Tom Brocher of the U.S. Geological Survey says, “You can see the red waves traveling away from the Kingdome. “ The areas that shook the worst then also shook the worst when the six point eight (on the Richter scale) Nisqually earthquake hit
3、. “We shouldnt be surprised to see damage at Boeing field and at the port of Seattle where we did see damage, because in both of those areas the ground shook longer and harder than other parts of Seattle.“Its whats known as a slab quake (located) 36 miles below the surface where the Juan de Fuca pla
4、te slab is diving underneath the North American plate. Geologists believe the plate bent, causing it to crack, and sending shock waves to the surface.Tom Brother says, “As soon as we knew it was a deep earthquake-that it was this type of earthquake-we immediately put out the word that we should expe
5、ct very few aftershocks. “There were only 4. In San Franciscos Loma Prieta earthquake here in 1989 which was closer to the surface, there were 120 aftershocks. The fact that “deep-focus“ earthquakes have fewer aftershocks still puzzles geologists.Brocher says, “What we can tell people is youre not g
6、oing to have these (aftershocks). What we cant tell them why. And thats a research issue. “Geologists say the Nisqually quake originated from almost the same spot as the 1949 quake there, and had the same damage patterns. There were fewer landslides this year because of the lack of rain.Over the nex
7、t year and half, researchers want to set off explosives at the surface near Seattle, aimed at the slab 37 miles below. The waves will then bounce offthe slab and reflect back to the surface giving information about where the plate is and how its moving. So, before the Earth moves again, geologists w
8、ill have an idea which places might be destined to shake the hardest.（分数：45.00）(1).According to the passage, what caused the Earth around Seattle shake on March 26th, 2000?A. Nisqually earthquake. C. Loma Prieta earthquake.B. Explosives. D. Aftershocks.（分数：9.00）A.B.C.D.(2).If a real earthquake hits
9、Seattle, the areas that will be damaged most would be_A. airports C. portsB. the suburbs D. Boeing field and the port of Seattle（分数：9.00）A.B.C.D.(3).According to the geologists, how did the shock waves reach the surface?（分数：9.00）A.The plate slab bent, and then cracked, sending shock waves to the sur
10、face.B.The plate was demolished, sending shock waves to the surface.C.The shock waves traveled to the surface themselves.D.The shock waves originated from the surfac(4).If the earthquake focus was close to the surface,_A. there will be few aftershocks C. there will be a lot of aftershocksB. there wi
11、ll be a deep focus D. that will cause great damage（分数：9.00）A.B.C.D.(5).According to the passage, the researchers set off explosives in order to _（分数：9.00）A.demolish the useless buildings before the earthquakeB.destroy the plates that may cause earthquakesC.make sure which plates cause earthquakesD.f
12、igure out which places might shake the hardestduring the earthquakePassage TwoNot content with its doubtful claim to produce cheap food for our own population, the factory farming industry also argues that “hungry nations are benefiting from advances made by the poultry industry“. In fact, rather th
13、an helping the fight against malnutrition(营养不良) in “hungry nations“, the spread of factory farming has, inevitably aggravated the problem.Large-scale intensive meat and poultry production is a waste of food resources. This is because more protein has to be fed to animals in the form of vegetable mat
14、ter than can ever be recovered in the form of meat. Much of the food value is lost in the animals process of digestion and cell replacement. Neither, in the case of chicken, can one eat feathers, blood, feet or head. In all, only about 44% of the live animal fits to be eaten as meat.This means one h
15、as to feed approximately 9-10 times as much food value to the animal than one can consume from the carcass. As a system for feeding the hungry, the effects can prove disastrous. At times of crisis, grain is the food of life.Nevertheless, the huge increase in poultry production is seen throughout Asi
16、a and Africa continues. Normally British or US firms are involved. For instance, an American based multinational company has this year announced its involvement in projects in several African countries. Britains largest chicken supplier, Ross Breeders, is also involved in projects all over the world
17、.Because such trade is good for exports, Western governments encourage it. In 1979, a firm in Bangladesh called Phoenix Poultry received a grant to set up a unit of 6,000 chickens and 18,000 laying hens. This almost doubled the number of poultry kept in the country all at once.But Bangladesh lacks c
18、apital, energy and food and has a large number of unemployed. Such chicken-raising demands capital for building and machinery, extensive use of energy resources for automation, and involves feeding chickens with potential famine-relief protein food. At present, one of Bangladeshs main imports is foo
19、d grains, because the country is unable to grow enough food to feed its population. On what then can they possibly feed the chicken?（分数：45.00）(1).In the passage the author argues that_（分数：9.00）A.efficiency must be raised in the poultry industryB.raising poultry can provide more protein than growing
20、grainC.factory farming will do more harm than good to developing countriesD.hungry nations may benefit from the development of the poultry industry(2).According to the author, in factory, vegetables _（分数：9.00）A.are easy for chickens to digestB.are insufficient for the needs of poultryC.are fully uti
21、lized in meat and egg productionD.are inefficiently converted into meat and poultry(3).Western governments encourage the poultry industry in Asia because they regard it as an effective way to _（分数：9.00）A.boost their own exportsB.alleviate malnutrition in Asian countriesC.create job opportunities in
22、Asian countriesD.promote the exports of Asian countries(4).The word “carcass“ (Line 2, Par（分数：9.00）A.3) most probably means _A. vegetables preserved for future useB. the dead body of an animal ready to be cut into meatC. expensive food that consumers can hardly affordD. meat canned for future consum
23、ption(5).The last paragraph is the authors _（分数：9.00）A.detailed analysis of the ways of raising poultry in BangladeshB.great appreciation of the development of poultry industry in BangladeshC.critical view on the development of the poultry industry in BangladeshD.practical suggestion for the improve
24、ment of the poultry industry in BangladeshPassage Three“Hi there. Hows it going?“Oh, fine. Fine. How about this weather, huh?“Well, I guess we can always use the rain.“Whats that? This story? Oh, just a little look at small talk. You know, those seemingly meaningless conversations you have dozens of
25、 times a day, Maybe youre waiting for the elevator.Or in a line at the bank. It all seems pretty trivial. Idle chatter about traffic doesnt do much more than fill the air with empty words that are quickly forgotten. But you should know that small talk actually has a big place in our lives.Pat Oliver
26、, assistant professor on arts, says that, “Left unchecked, small talk can be an invasion. Its so powerful. It does something to you.“ “Every morning after spending an hour and a half on the freeway I start the day with small talk with my secretary,“ Oliver says, “IfI dont make small connection with
27、another person, I cant work.“What causes it? As a rule, youre either trying to force something into your life, or youre using conversation as an invisible force field to keep them out. You can be wanting to connect with another person, and small talk is your introduction to more meaningful conversat
28、ion.The way people use small talk is usually determined by where they happen to be at the time.Take the elevator, for instance. Now theres prime territoo,. Nobody knows anyone and theres no reason to start a conversation, but invariably, someone does. Making conversation in such peaceful social sett
29、ings, according to Oliver, “can confirm your territory. Its a way of feeling liked and accepted.“The topics of small talk dont matter. In fact, you dont want anything more taxing than the weather or the traffic. Its non-threatening talk in a threatening situation. However, the rules change quickly w
30、hen youre with lots of people doing lots of talking.Lets say youre at a party. Now its time to use small talk as a way of making others feel more comfortable around you, so you dont look silly standing by the food table alone all night.（分数：45.00）(1).“Small talk“, as interpreted by the author,_（分数：9.
31、00）A.has no real function in communication at allB.is usually meaningless and therefore uselessC.is not as unimportant as it may seem to beD.is restricted to certain topics only(2).According to the author, small talk is often used_（分数：9.00）A.to protect ones own privacyB.to invade others private affa
32、irsC.to share a secret between intimate friendsD.to open and maintain channels of communication(3).According to the author, topics of small talk may include comments on _（分数：9.00）A.some political issuesB.ones physical conditionC.others way of dressD.the traffic jam(4).Why is small talk described as
33、“non-threatening talk in a threatening situation“?（分数：9.00）A.It is used by people to encourage those who are confronted with danger.B.It is used to show that one is enthusiastic and hospitable.C.It is used to create a more friendly atmosphere and to avoid embarrassment.D.It is used by people to prot
34、ect others in a threatening situation.(5).According to the author, at a big party, small talk is used with the purpose of_（分数：9.00）A.making both others and yourself feel at easeB.excluding those you dont like from joining youC.keeping your voice low so only your friends can hear youD.comforting thos
35、e who feel lonelyPassage FourOne of Americas greatest exports to the rest of the world has been entertainment. America, a nation of incredible energy and talent, has flooded the world markets with her films, theaters and songs. In America the two centers where this talent is most brilliantly and suc
36、cessfully essayed are Hollywood and Broadway.Hollywood is a district within the city of Los Angeles. Its name is synonymous with the motion-picture industry. Since the early 1900s, when movie makers found southern California an ideal blend of mild climate and varied geography, it has become the home
37、 for cinematic dreams. All the great names of cinema have passed through Hollywood on the road to international careers.Today it still remains the place where dreams are said to come true and fantasies are carefully nurtured. Known as “The Movie Capital of the World“, Hollywood is one of the few pla
38、ces where epic films can still be made on such a large scale. Ancient Rome, the Pharaohs Egypt or a science fiction film staged somewhere in the Galaxy are all within the imagination of the filmmakers and the industry they control. It is a place where unknowns are discovered and even actors from abr
39、oad have come to Hollywood to further establish their fame and recognition.With the coming of television Hollywood began to alter its function. By the early 1960s it had become the source of the majority of U.S. network television entertainment. But, its place as the center of the movie industry in
40、America has remained undiminished and unchallenged.On the east coast of America, however, in New York it is live theater which provides the source of culture and entertainment. Here it is the dramatic stage which dominates the cultural scene. The main avenue which runs through the city is known as B
41、roadway. It traverses the length of Manhattan and near the middle clustered the many theaters that have long made it the foremost showcase of commercial stage entertainment in the United States. The term Broadway was at one time virtually synonymous with American theater activity. In the 1980s the s
42、treet became known as “The Great White Way“ because of its brilliant display of lights in the evening. As the power and prosperity of New York City grew in the world, so did the number, size and magnificence of the Broadway theaters. Broadway soared into its peak in the mid 1920s. At this time there
43、 were over eighty theaters on Broadway but in recent years the number has declined. Yet, it still remain vibrantly active and under constant renewal.（分数：45.00）(1).The main topic of the passage is_A. Americas entertainment C. Americas theatersB. Americas films D. Hollywood and Broadway（分数：9.00）A.B.C.
44、D.(2).American people made Hollywood the center of the movie industry for its_A. location C. mild climate and varied geographyB. talented citizens D. wealth（分数：9.00）A.B.C.D.(3).Which of the following is TRUE about Hollywood?（分数：9.00）A.It attracts actors from all over the world.B.Its the dreamland of
45、 young people.C.Its controlled by American filmmakers.D.Its named after a famous actor.(4).The word “dominate“ (Line 3, Para. 5 ) is closest in meaning to _A. influence C. leadB. control D. hold（分数：9.00）A.B.C.D.(5).According to the passage, nowadays Broadway_（分数：9.00）A.has faced great declineB.is in
46、 its peakC.is in need of changesD.is still the center of American theater activity大学英语四级综合-40 答案解析(总分：180.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Unit 2(总题数：4，分数：180.00)Passage OneWhen the Earth shook here on March 26th, 2000, it helped geologists to figure out how the Earth around Seattle would shake during the real thing
47、 less than a year later.When Seattles Kingdome was demolished with explosives, more than 200 seismic recorders caught every rattle and roll. Tom Brocher of the U.S. Geological Survey says, “You can see the red waves traveling away from the Kingdome. “ The areas that shook the worst then also shook t
48、he worst when the six point eight (on the Richter scale) Nisqually earthquake hit. “We shouldnt be surprised to see damage at Boeing field and at the port of Seattle where we did see damage, because in both of those areas the ground shook longer and harder than other parts of Seattle.“Its whats know
49、n as a slab quake (located) 36 miles below the surface where the Juan de Fuca plate slab is diving underneath the North American plate. Geologists believe the plate bent, causing it to crack, and sending shock waves to the surface.Tom Brother says, “As soon as we knew it was a deep earthquake-that it was this type of earthquake-we immediately put out the word that we should expect very few aftershocks. “There were only 4. In San Franciscos Loma Prieta ear
